U.S. patent application number 12/284617 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for soccer ball and removable spin training tether.
Invention is credited to Ryan Maina.
Application Number | 20100075784 12/284617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42038252 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100075784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maina; Ryan |
March 25, 2010 |
Soccer ball and removable spin training tether
Abstract
An apparatus for soccer kicking practice comprises a soccer ball
having a hidden attachment point and means of removably attaching a
tether to the ball wherein the tether comprises a handle connecting
a cord and elastic strip to a soccer ball in a manner allowing the
ball to freely rotate with respect to the cord and the handle
providing kicking and spinning of the ball and return of the ball
to the user in a controlled manner. The device is designed to be
readily attached or detached from the soccer ball for training or
play.
Inventors: |
Maina; Ryan; (Louisville,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David W. Carrithers;CARRITHERS LAW OFFICE, PLLC
Suite 206, 6200 Dutchman's Lane
Louisville
KY
40205
US
|
Family ID: |
42038252 |
Appl. No.: |
12/284617 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/424 ;
473/446; 473/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0088 20130101;
A63B 69/002 20130101; A63B 43/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/424 ;
473/446; 473/576 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00; A63B 43/00 20060101 A63B043/00 |
Claims
1. A soccer ball spin training tether, comprising: a soccer ball
having said tether extending from a single point; said tether
composed of an elastic cord portion and a non-elastic cord portion,
said elastic portion being capable of stretching at a uniform rate
providing a smooth return of said ball without jerking; said tether
being removably attached to said ball wherein an extra flap is
attached to said ball containing an aperture through which the end
of said tether cord is passed and a closable plastic keeper
containing an aperture through which the end of the tether cord is
then passed and knotted; a swivel lead for connecting said elastic
cord portion to said non-elastic cord portion and for allowing said
ball to spin freely; and a clip for allowing adjustment of the
length of said tether.
2. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 1, wherein said
elastic portion of said tether is about one third the length of the
cord portion.
3. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 1, wherein said
elastic portion of said tether is braided material.
4. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 1, wherein said
elastic portion of said tether comprises polyester and rubber.
5. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 4, wherein said
elastic portion comprises material ranging from about 50 to about
75 percent polyester and about 25 to about 40 percent rubber.
6. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 5, wherein said
elastic portion comprises about 68 percent polyester and about 32
percent rubber.
7. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 1, including a
shaped handle forming a closed loop extending from a distal end of
said tether.
8. A soccer ball spin training tether, comprising: a ball; a tether
being removably attached to said ball wherein an extra flap is
attached to the ball containing an aperture through which the end
of said tether cord is passed and a closable plastic keeper
containing an aperture through which the end of the tether cord is
passed and knotted; and a clip for allowing adjustment of the
length of said tether.
9. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 8 wherein said
tether is a non-elastic cord.
10. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 9 including a
handle extending from a distal end of said tether.
11. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 8 wherein said
tether is an elastic cord.
12. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 1I1 wherein said
elastic portion of said tether comprises polyester and rubber.
13. The soccer ball spin training tether of claim 11 including a
handle extending from a distal end of said tether.
14. A soccer ball spin training tether, comprising: a soccer ball
including a pocket comprising a retaining flap having a hole there
through for receiving a cord means and a side opening for insertion
of a keeper defining a means for securing a distal end of said cord
in a rotatable manner; a handle; and a tether connecting said
handle to said soccer ball, said tether comprising an elastic cord
fastening to said handle and an opposing distal end of said elastic
cord connecting to a nonelastic cord by a rotatable leader, said
opposing distal end of said nonelastic cord attaching to said
keeper; and means for adjusting the length of said elastic cord.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for soccer
kicking practice which comprises a soccer ball having a hidden
attachment point for attachment of a tether attaching in a
rotatable manner to the ball allowing for return of the ball in a
controlled manner and preventing twisting of the tether.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the game of soccer, it is important to have good ball
control, to be able to make accurate passes, to have good kick
control, and confidence in ones ability to repeatedly kick the ball
with anticipated and expected returns.
[0003] It is desirable to be able to practice kicking a soccer ball
without the necessity of having another party retrieve the ball or
having to retrieve the ball themselves. It may also be desirable to
practice kicking the ball in a confined area such as indoor
depending upon the weather conditions and practice space available
to the kicker. It is also important to provide a means for storing
and retrieval of the return apparatus with relative ease.
[0004] In most instances, players cannot pass the ball with their
hands when it is in motion and must use their feet. The ball is
primarily guided by the angle of the ball coming off the players,
head or shoe. It is possible to also guide the ball by imparting
back spins, or side spins to the ball causing the ball to curve up,
down, or to one side or the other.
[0005] The closest prior art related to the present invention
includes applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,539 which includes
some of the features of the present invention. Other prior art
references found in a search include: U.S. Pat. No. 3,588,104 by
Griffin for "BASEBALL BATTING TRAINING DEVICE" which issued Jun.
28, 1971; U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,409 by Schachner for "KICKING
PRACTICE AID" which issued Apr. 16, 1974; U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,241
by Garcia for "LARGE FOOT BALLS OR SOCCER BALLS" which issued Jan.
31, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,117 by Reichert for "TORSO TETHERED
TRAINING DEVICE" which issued Jan. 27, 1981; U.S. Pat. No.
4,278,257 by Garcia et al. for "SOCCER KICKING AID" which issued
Jul. 14, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,338 by May for "FOOTBALL
PRACTICE AID" which issued Sep. 21, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,599
by Brown for "SOCCER PRACTICE DEVICE" which issued Jul. 31, 1984;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,379 by Juhasz for "SOCCER PRACTICE APPARATUS"
which issued Mar. 18, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,209 by Carey for
"SOCCER TRAINING BALL ASSEMBLY" which issued Aug. 18, 1987; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,083,797 by Vartija et al. for "GAME BALL TRAINING
APPARATUS/CARRIER" which issued Jan. 28, 1992; U.S. Pat. No.
5,398,940 by Derst for "SOCCER HEADER PRACTICE APPARATUS" which
issued Mar. 21, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,032 by Krietzman for
"SUSPENDED FELINE TOY AND EXERCISER" which issued Dec. 12, 1995;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,760 by Hauter for "SOCCER TRAINING BALL FOR USE
WITH A CORD SUSPENDED SOCCER BALL" which issued Dec. 24, 1996; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,620,186 by Dudley for "SOCCER TRAINING AND PRACTICE
DEVICE" which issued Apr. 15, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,975 by
Hesse for "SOCCER TRAINING AID" which issued Dec. 2, 1997, and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,168,539 B1 by Maina for "SOCCER BALL SPIN TRAINING
TETHER" which issued Jan. 2, 2001.
[0006] None of these conventional return devices provide a means
for kicking the ball resulting in a "controlled" spin to affect the
direction and path of the ball on the ground and/or through the
air. Moreover, none of the typical devices now available provide a
tethering return means whereby the attachment means is rotatably
connected to the ball so that tension created by the spinning ball
is not imparted to the tether so that the tether does not interfere
with the spinning motion imparted to the kick.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides an apparatus for soccer
kicking practice including a soccer ball having a hidden attachment
point and means of removably attaching a rotatable tether to the
ball. A handle is connected to a distal end of a tether comprising
an elastic cord fastened to the handled and having the proximate
end of the elastic cord connected to a nonelastic cord by a
rotatable leader. The nonelastic cord portion of the tether is
threaded through a plurality of holes formed in an adjustment strip
for adjustably lengthening or shorting the nonelastic cord to
achieve the desired length of the tether. The distal end of the
nonelastic cord is rotatably held in a closeable plastic keeper and
more particularly the distal end of the cord is inserted into a
pocket comprising a flap having a hole therein sown onto the
surface of the ball and then through a bottom surface of a shallow
cup and where a knot is formed on the distal end of the nonelastic
cord. A lid is snapped closed on the cup defining a clamshell type
of container whereby the knot can rotate within the container. The
container is inserted into the pocket having a hole therein sewed
onto the surface of a soccer ball and retained therein.
[0008] The soccer ball is secured to the tether in a manner
allowing the ball to freely rotate with respect to the handle and
to the tether providing kicking and spinning of the ball and return
of the ball to the user in a controlled manner. The device is
designed to be readily attached or detached from the soccer ball
for training or play.
[0009] Because the tether is a attached to a soccer ball at a
selected single point, a spin may be imparted to the ball upon the
ball being kicked by a player. A portion of the tether is elastic
and a portion of the tether is comprised of non-elastic material
whereby the user can kick the ball and the ball will return to the
kicker. Use of a elastic and non-elastic tether provides a means
for the kicker to control the distance of the kick and the height
and direction that the ball will travel upon returning to the
kicker so that the ball may be kicked or butted repeatedly with
reliable anticipation of the position of the ball upon the
return.
[0010] For instance, by attaching the nonelastic portion of the
tether to the ball and holding on to the elastic end, kicking the
ball will result in its going outward from the kicker's foot at
around knee height or below skimming the ground. In order to
provide a higher return, the kicker can shorten the length of the
elastic portion by adjusting his or her grip on the tether so that
kicking the ball results in the ball returning at waist level,
chest level, head level or higher in an arc when the ball reaches
its farther most distance with the adjusted tether being fully
extended.
[0011] The instant invention is especially good for training of a
goalie wherein the ball can be bounced off of the ground and return
to the goalie at head level.
[0012] The preferred embodiment uses a tether which is the length
of the player from the tip of his fingers to the floor, generally
from eight to ten feet, wherein a the section of the tether next to
the player is formed of an elastic material so that the ball can be
kicked and it returns to the player with the desired speed in an
anticipated direction.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a soccer
practice device whereby one can practice kicking the ball without
the need of running to get the ball.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide such a
soccer practice device that allows the ball to freely spin and
otherwise move roughly in the same manner as an untethered ball
until the point at which the tether stops the ball.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a soccer
practice device comprising a ball and a tether which one can attach
to the ball or disconnect from the ball at will.
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tether
having a distal end retained within a cup, plate, washer, plate or
the like whereby insertion into a hole within a flap in a soccer
ball provides free spinning rotation of the ball with respect to
the tether.
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
spinning leader as a means of attaching the nonelastic cord to an
elastic cord providing free spinning motion therebetween.
[0018] It is an object of the present invention to include a tether
having an length adjustment means comprising a strip or strap of
material having at least two holes therein for forming a securing a
loop and shortening the tether.
[0019] It is an object of the present invention to modify a soccer
ball by sowing or otherwise attaching a patch of outer covering
material or leather having a hole therein for insertion of the
tether, whereby the patch covers an existing patch on the ball and
the retaining patch of material includes an arcuate cutaway portion
for slidably receiving a container having a distal end of the
tether attaching thereto.
[0020] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will be apparent with the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] A better understanding of the present invention will be had
upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts
throughout the several views and wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention
showing a soccer ball having the tether extending from a single
point, wherein the tether is attached to the ball by removable
means comprising an extra flap attached to the ball with an
aperture through which the end of the tether cord is passed, a
closable plastic keeper (not shown) with an aperture through which
the end of the tether cord is passed and knotted, and the tether
composed of an elastic and a non-elastic cord portion;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a partial view of a soccer ball with the extra
flap attached, the plastic keeper and the tether cord passing
through each;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a partial view of a soccer ball with the tether
cord knotted within the plastic keeper which is closed and drawn
back into the pocket formed by extra flap attached to the ball;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the extra flap as
attached to a hexagonal section of the ball and the plastic keeper
enclosing the knotted end of the tether cord;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the elastic cord
connected to the non-elastic cord by means of a swivelling leader
comprised of two wires looped on one end with a bead affixed to the
other end and the two beaded ends enclosed in a hollow metal bead;
and
[0027] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of Applicant's prior art
embodiment from U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,539.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] The soccer ball spin training tether 10 will now be
described with reference to the drawings FIGS. 1-5.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the soccer ball and spin training
tether 10 of the present invention includes a modified soccer ball
22 and a spin training tether 20 removably fastened to the ball 22
by means for fastening extending from a single point providing a
means for unrestricted controlled spinning of the ball 22.
[0030] Typically a soccer ball 22 is covered by a synthetic
material sown over a ball core so that a plurality of straight
seams meet at angles forming patches in a pentagon or hexagon
pattern. The modified soccer ball 22 of the present invention
includes a retaining patch or retaining flap 12 of the same type of
synthetic material covering the ball 22. A retaining patch or
retaining flap 12 is selected to be roughly the same size and shape
as the section over which it is sown so that the seams holding the
retaining flap 12 are the same or in alignment with the seams of
the original covering material. In one preferred embodiment, a
retaining flap 12 is sown over a patch having six sides, 1-6
forming a hexagon. The pocket 9 comprises a retaining flap 12 five
straight sown seams and one seam 8 which is not sown to the
covering of the ball 22 forming an opening as best shown in FIG. 3.
In one preferred embodiment the unsown seam is an arcuate shape
forming a semi-circular shaped retaining flap edge 13 forming a
side opening allowing the tether cord 24 to pass through. The
retaining flap 12 also includes a generally centered hole 15 for
threading a distal end of the tether cord through and out of the
side opening or pocket 9 in order for the cord to receive a keeper
means and knotted end. Thus the retaining flap 12 covers an
existing patch 7 on the ball 22 whereby the retaining patch 12
includes an arcuate cutaway portion 13 for slidably receiving a
keeper 14 to rotatably hold the distal end 23 of the tether cord 24
wherein the keeper 14 comprises a clip, a washer, a bearing, a
button, a container, or any generally flat holding member having a
distal end of the tether rotatably secured thereto by means for
holding.
[0031] The tether 20 is attached to the ball 22 by removable means
comprising the extra retaining flap 12, wherein the distal end 23
of a tether cord (preferably nonelastic) is attached to the ball 22
by threading the distal end 23 through an aperture 15 of the
retaining flap 12 and out through the opening forming the pocket 9.
The distal end 23 of the tether cord 24 is inserted through an
opening or aperture 17 of the retainer flap 12. A knot 16 formed
which the end of the tether cord is passed, a closable keeper 14
with an aperture 15 through which the distal end 24 of the tether
cord is passed and knotted forming a rotatable means for
holding.
[0032] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the
retaining flap 12 is roughly the same size as the section over
which it is sown and is the same shape except that it contains a
hole 15 for passing the cord 24 there through and one of the six
sides has a semi-circular shaped portion omitted, forming an
opening or pocket 9 allowing the tether cord 24 to pass through.
Then the end of the cord 24 is passed through the aperture 15 of a
plastic keeper 14 and is then knotted. As shown, the keeper 14
comprises a shallow circular container 19 having a bottom portion
11 formed by a base 21 having a side wall 23 extending upwardly
therefrom. An optional plastic strap 25 holds a circular cap 27
defining a top surface 29 having an aperture 17 therein and
sidewalls 31 extending downwardly therefrom of corresponding size
and shape to form a snap fit with a lip 30 projecting from the
sidewalls 23, a threaded fit, or a friction fit with the opposing
sidewalls 23 of the base portion 11 of the keeper 14. It is
contemplated that the knot 16 could be held by a keeper 14 by a
clip or pin or that the distal end 24 of the tether could be
rotatably held by the keeper 14 by a pin, a clip, or a rivet or
other fastening means without a knot 16.
[0033] The knot 16 is pulled to rest against aperture 15 and the
keeper 14 is snapped closed. The cord 24 and the keeper 14 are now
pulled into the pocket 9 formed between the interior surface of the
retainer flap 12 and the outer covering 7 of the ball 22.
[0034] The tether comprises a handle 58, an elastic portion 26
connected to a non-elastic cord portion 24 by a swivel device 28,
and a length adjustment device 50.
[0035] The tether 20 comprises a handle affixed to an elastic cord
portion 26, such as a bungee cord, which is rotatably connected to
a nonelastic cord portion 24 by a swivel device 28 which allows
unrestricted swivelling and spinning of the ball 22. The swivel
device 28 comprises a leader 34 including two wires 36 looped on
one end with a bead affixed to the other end and the two beaded
ends enclosed in a hollow metal bead 37. Each cord is tied or
otherwise secured to the respective wire loops of the leader 34.
The resulting knots and the leader are individually covered by
flexible tubes 38 for protection of the user and the knots and
leader 34. The protective tubes 38 or sheath also tends to restrict
lateral and wobble movement of the leader 34 preventing twisting
and binding of the tether 20 at the point of attachment of the
nonelastic and elastic portions at the leader 34.
[0036] An adjustment strap means for shortening or lengthening the
tether 20 is provided by a clip 50 defining a strip of material,
(plastic, metal, wood), having a plurality of spaced apart holes
extending longitudinally there along. The elastic cord 26 is
inserted through two or more holes forming a simple loop which can
be lengthened or shortened to achieve the desired length of the
tether 20 and control of the ball. Of course it is contemplated
that a knot in the cord may also be used to adjust the length of
the cord 24 portion of the tether 20.
[0037] As shown in the drawings, the elastic cord 26 is passed
through the clip 50. Then a knot 40 is tied to form a loop type
handle 58 with the resulting end of the cord passing through clip
50 and being tied to make knot 42. The elastic used in the
preferred embodiment is braided elastic so that the elastic
stretches at a uniform rate rather than to "snap" back. This
provides a means to kick the ball 22 coming back to you at about
the same rate and momentum as imparted to the ball 22 by the kick
moving the ball 22 away from the user. The ball 22 returns to the
kicker just as if he was receiving it from another kicker.
[0038] Although an elastic cord 26 or a cord 24 may be used alone,
the tether 20 combining both provides a means of directional
control providing predictable returns.
[0039] The braided elastic strip 26 used in one preferred
embodiment comprises about 50 to about 75 percent polyester and
about 25 to about 40 percent rubber, and more particularly about 68
percent polyester and about 32 percent rubber. A handle 58 is
attached to the distal end of the elastic strip 26 opposite the
leader 28. This apportionment allows the user to hold the end of
the handle 58 at chest height and kick the ball 22, whereby the
ball is forced upward and returns at chest height. Holding the
handle 58 lower results in the ball 22 being kicked parallel with
the ground. By kicking the ball 22 on one side or the other, spin
can be imparted to the ball 22 so that it rises, lowers, or curves
to the left, right, or combinations thereof. Thus, adjustment of
the length of the elastic cord 26 so that it is about 1/3 the
length of the cord 24 causes the ball 22 to return high upon being
kicked by the user. The shorter the elastic strip 26 as compared to
the cord 24, the higher the ball will rise. This is very helpful in
developing ball control for the chest and knees as well as for the
feet, such as is important for a goal keeper.
[0040] The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for
clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be
understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those
skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made
upon departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the
appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be
limited by the specific exemplifications presented herein above.
Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *